September, already! How did that happen? I happen to love this month. The hot days of summer are waning. The kids are back in school. Things somehow seem “normal”. It is also a great month in the Church Calendar. We dedicate the month to our Lady of Sorrows.
During September, the Liturgy does not focus on one particular mystery of Christ. Throughout August we focused on the Bread of Life discourse in the 6th chapter of the Gospel of John and the Real Presence of Jesus in Holy Communion. We now return to the Gospel of Mark. We will view the mystery of Christ in all its aspects. We follow the life of Christ through the Gospels, and focus on the teachings and parables of Jesus and what it means for us to be a follower of Christ. During Ordinary Time we can concentrate more on the saints and imitate their holiness as Christ's followers.
This month the main liturgical feasts are St. Gregory the Great (September 3), Birth of Mary (September 8), St. Peter Claver (September 9), Holy Name of Mary (September 12), Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14), Our Lady of Sorrows (September 15), Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian (September 16), St. Robert Bellarmine (September 17), St. Matthew (September 21), St. Pio (September 23), Sts. Cosmas and Damian (September 26), Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael (September 29) and St. Jerome (September 30).
The feasts of St. John Chrysostom ( September 13), St. Andrew Kim and Companions (September 20) and St. Vincent de Paul (September 27) are superseded by the Sunday liturgy. We do, after all, honor the saints, but we worship God alone.
In addition to these “normal” aspects of Church life, we have two very special events taking place: The World Meeting of Families will be held in Philadelphia September 22-27, which coincides with the Pope’s Apostolic Journey to the United States. Exciting times for Catholics here in the Americas!
Pray for families. Pray for the Pope. Give glory to God for His extraordinary love shown to us. Extraordinary love is normal for God. Let’s make an effort to make it normal in our daily lives!
Love & prayers,
Father Mike